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The LCA is holding two Hustings meetings for the 2018 local elections.

Levenshulme Ward

19.30, Wednesday 18th April, The Klondyke, Burnage Range, Levenshulme

Burnage Ward

19.30, Wednesday 25th April, The Klondyke, Burnage Range, Levenshulme

These are open, public meetings where anyone can question candidates directly. The full list of candidates is provided below.

The local elections this year are “all out” elections with ALL councillors up for election – three positions in each Ward.

Ward boundaries have also been changed with Levenshulme Ward now expanded to included much of what was previously the Gorton South Ward which has been abolished. Burnage Ward has also expanded and now includes a big chunk of what was previously Levenshulme Ward running right up to Albert Road.

Please share and promote these Hustings. They are your opportunity to question candidates who will represent us on Manchester City Council.

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This week is British Science Week. I’m a young doctor and a PhD student at the University of Manchester. Some fellow doctors, medical students and I are organising a day-long workshop at Manchester Royal Infirmary to help young students (aged 14-18) consider Medicine as a career to become a doctor. This workshop is specifically targeted at students from non-traditional backgrounds. Date: Sat 24th March 2018.

The registration fee is £30 (we are non-profit). However, if the child comes from a low-income background, they can apply for a bursary (100% discount). We have 12 bursaries remaining to give out so the deadline has been extended to this Friday (16th March 2018).

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Come along and find out about the new Levenshulme Community Manifesto on Wednesday 28th February at The Klondyke. Developed by and for our community it is a statement of what our community wants for the future of Levenshulme.

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Family Event at Highfield Country Park – Building Bat & Bird Boxes – Fri 27th October

Come to this family friendly event and help protect the wildlife of the park. The biodiversity of the park is growing, and it is great news we now have confirmed bat populations living there. This event is supported by the John Muir Trust and we are grateful to them for support. Read more about bats in the UK at the Bat Conservation Trust.

Location: Highfield Country Park (meet at the picnic area by the Fallowfield Loop)

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The Levenshulme Old Library group are holding a fundraising party to support the development of the library building as a community facility at The Klondyke 18 November in collaboration with Leve Nights.

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Join Multilingual Manchester for a free family-friendly day of activities to celebrate Manchester’s many languages and cultures!

The event will take place at The Klondyke Club, Arcadia Library and Levenshulme Market. Activities include language taster sessions, stalls, performances, crafts and games for children, world music, international food, and more.

For more information or to get involved, please contact <mlm@manchester.ac.uk>

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The very first Levenshulme and Burnage Garden Festival, including an Open Gardens weekender!

Please share *a lot* folks, and help us to make it a roaring success!

Many events are FREE, or cracking value, as we were awarded some cash from Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Investment Fund.

The first ‘event’ is is on 25th May at Levenshulme Market: Incredible Edible Levenshulme will be dishing out FREE herbs & wildflowers for tree pits and community alleys in Levenshulme and Burnage, 10am-2pm. If you’re a member of a residents’ group, have tree pits on your street, or have transformed your alley, you are eligible – FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!

On the same day, at 1pm, Andrea, AKA Little Italy Kitchen is hosting a Garden Feast in his beautiful garden. Details are on the poster (expand poster to full screen, left click ‘options’ in bottom right corner and click ‘download’. You should then be able to enlarge it to a legible size).

Hard copies will be available at Bud, The Buttery and in and around Levenshulme and Burnage from Friday 5th May.

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Announcing ‘the event with no name’ … a two week celebration of Arts, Creativity and Culture in Levenshulme and Gorton South. Between Saturday 24th June and Sunday 9th July 2017.

As a spin-out from the Old Library campaign we are asking for contributors to a festival of “Art, Creativity and Culture”.

If you are creative in any way, or have a venue, maybe planning an event anyway… please host or hold an activity that celebrates and shows off the creativity, diversity and energy of our community.

Exhibitions, workshops, performances.

Music, film, theatre, poetry, sculpture,

crafts, comedy, and even food.

On and offline,

Things you are passionate about, that make you happy, that express hope, that challenges us and brings us together, that inspires new ideas. Anything can be art if done with creativity.

We’ll collect a list of events together, create an online brochure and publicise it. Some events may be fundraisers, but mostly its about the residents of our lovely area expressing themselves. Celebrating our community. Sharing the love.

Thoughts welcome!. We’ve created an event page, and starting to gather ideas. If possible, some activities may happen in the Old Library… but mostly its about arts and creativity out in the community.

And if you can think of a better name… add it on the event page. We’ll make a poll of the best ideas and crowdsource the final name!

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A protest march against cuts to school funding will be held on 29th April starting at 12.00 from the main entrance to Cedar Mount School and heading to Crowcroft Park for a rally and picnic.

“Please contact Miss Hollywood on 0161 359 3160 if you are interested in attending the protest at Crowcroft park on Sat 29th April. We will be setting off from the main gates at Cedar Mount Academy at 12.00 noon, bring placards and loud voices. Please share the post with your friends #whatwouldyoucut #saveourschool”

Announcing ‘the event with no name’ … a two week celebration of Arts, Creativity and Culture in Levenshulme and Gorton South. Between Saturday 24th June and Sunday 9th July 2017.

As a spin-out from the Old Library campaign we are asking for contributors to a festival of “Art, Creativity and Culture”.

If you are creative in any way, or have a venue, maybe planning an event anyway… please host or hold an activity that celebrates and shows off the creativity, diversity and energy of our community.

Exhibitions, workshops, performances.

Music, film, theatre, poetry, sculpture,

crafts, comedy, and even food.

On and offline.

Things you are passionate about, that make you happy, that express hope, that challenges us and brings us together, that inspires new ideas. Anything can be art if done with creativity.

We’ll collect a list of events together, create an online brochure and publicise it. Some events may be fundraisers, but mostly its about the residents of our lovely area expressing themselves. Celebrating our community. Sharing the love.

Thoughts welcome!. We’ve created an event page, and starting to gather ideas. If possible, some activities may happen in the Old Library… but mostly its about arts and creativity out in the community.

And if you can think of a better name… add it below or on the event page. We’ll make a poll of the best ideas and crowdsource the final name!

There are two Incredible Edible Levenshulme community events to let you know about this week – IEL will be working on the Village Green and A6 planters on Wednesday evening, and there’s a community action day on Saturday 22nd (with Levy Market, Friends of Levenshulme Station, Love Levenshulme and IEL) to litter pick and clear spaces for planting on the Street With No Name.

Village Green & Planters

Date: Wednesday 19th April

Venue: the Village Green

Time: 6.30pm

Please bring gardening gloves and hand tools if possible.

Community Action Day

Date: Saturday 22nd April

Venue: meet on the Street With No Name

Time: from 10am

All equipment will be provided, plus a free hot drink for all volunteers!

The list of candidates for the Manchester Gorton parliamentary by-election has been confirmed.

ABIDOGUN, Kemi (Christian Peoples Alliance)

CLIFFORD, Peter (Communist League)

DISCO, The Irrelevant Johnny (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

ECKERSLEY, Phil (UK Independence Party (UKIP))

GALLOWAY, George (Independent)

HOPKINS, David Michael

JARADAT, Shaden (Conservative Party)

KHAN, Mohammed Afzal (Labour Party)

KHANDOKER, Sufi Miah (Independent)

MAYO, Jess (Green Party)

PEARCEY, Jackie (Liberal Democrats)

The hustings for candidates organised by Levenshulme Community Association takes place on Saturday 22nd April at the Jain Community Centre, 667/669 Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 4QE, starting at 19.00.

On the 4th of May, all eyes will be on Levenshulme as we elect a new MP to replace the much-loved Gerald Kaufman. But there will be another important election that day that could possibly have more day-to-day impact on our neighbourhood – the election of a Greater Manchester ‘metro mayor’.

The new mayor will cover all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and have powers over transport, policing and some aspects of planning too. He or she will play an important role in relation to devolution and will become something of a figurehead for our city – much like Boris Johnson or Sadiq Khan have done for London.

But one of the crucial reasons for us having a new metro mayor is to make us feel closer to democratic decision-making. It is easy to be cynical – so how do we do this?

For some time now, around 20 groups and organisations from all over Greater Manchester have been meeting to plan a special GM Citizen’s Assembly. The plans is that over 1500 people will pack out the Lowry Theatre on Bank Holiday Monday 1st May and together we will tell all of the possible mayoral candidates about some of the big issues we are concerned about and demand that if they are elected they will do something about them.

It’s a strategy that has worked very well in London and has led to the introduction of the London Living Wage which has benefited thousands and thousands of low-waged people living in the capital city.

In Greater Manchester we are going to lobby the mayoral candidates on 4 big issues: cuts to social care; homelessness; hate crime; and the Living Wage.

The Assembly won’t be boring! We understand it will be a bank holiday but we want people to make the most of the day. There will be music, drama, comedy, plays, powerful testimonies and of course hearing from the candidates themselves. We will be joined by the mayoral candidates, other surprise guests and Sir Peter Fahy. We want people to bring families and children. This is for ordinary families and people across our community.

If you’d like to come along you need to sign up. You can do so online by clicking here. Or alternatively you can join the coach that is leaving from Inspire at 12.45pm. The event is free but you need to buy a coach ticket in advance – £5 for waged people; £2.50 for unwaged.

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The very popular night markets have been special occasions before. From today they go monthly replacing the Saturday market once a month moving to every third Friday of the month. Food and fun from 17.00-21.00.

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The Klondyke in association with Greater Manchester Unite Community Branch are proud to present a pay as you feel showing of “I Daniel Blake” on Wednesday 22nd March 2017.

Ken Loach`s powerful 2016 film “I Daniel Blake” has been a huge box office success and has won many prestigous awards for its realistic and moving portrayal of the failings of the benifit system and the impact this has on people`s lives in 21st century Britain.

Unite Community campaign against benifit sanctions, welfare cuts and zero hour contracts and provide support to people experiencing difficulties with benifits in Manchester. We will be offering some free tickets for the film to people that Unite meet and help at local jobcentres, who havent yet been able to afford to see the film which depicts their daily experiences with the DWP. Other tickets will be availabe on a pay as you feel basis. all profits will be split equally to help local food banks, the unemployed worker`s centre.

A vegan curry with rice will be available for all after the film, followed by an optional open disscusiion and questions and answers with a well selected panel.

Sweets, popcorn and other refreshements availble PLEASE NOTE …. The Klondyke have kindly offered the room for free so any beverages alcholic or soft must be purchased from the bar.

There is a raffle on the night and also an online raffle both with a large ammount of prizes all donated by local people and businesses.

Please remember when at the payment stage on the booking site when it says a donation the suggested amounts are: £3.50 minium / £5.50 / £8.50 generous

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Pauline Johnson who runs the LoveLevenshulme website has teamed up with Levenshulme Market for a one day litter picking event.

“Love Levenshulme have teamed up with the Levenshulme Market crew at the relaunch of their 2017 season (YES!). On Saturday 4th of March at 10am we’re doing a big community litter pick, a proactive approach and hoping to tackle attitudes towards flytipping in the area with a community stall/info point and posters dotted about the district centre in advance. We need to rally the cleaning troops!”

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Levenshulme Community Association has organised a Community Forum on policing, crime, safety and securty for Wednesday 11th January, 19.00 at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range) following a reported rape of a 12 year old girl.

The meeting is public and an opportunity to hear from Greater Manchester Police and councillors. There will also be the chance to raise any questions or concerns directly on crime and policing in the area.

“An annual event at our litlle garden centre, where we raise money for charity from the sale of locally made mince pies and Fairtrade mulled wine. Money raised this year will be donated to Perennial, a charity which helps gardeners and horticulturalists who fall on hard times: www.perennial.org.uk

Levy Uke Up and Levy Chorus will provide entertinment, in addition to a brass ensemble from Stockport. Lovely to listen to whilst warming your hands at our giant fire bowl.

The garden centre will be open as usual (from 10am) selling Xmas trees, wreaths, ethical gardening gifts (Fairtrade/made in the UK) and plants, which make great presents!”

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The communities of Levenshulme and Burnage were out in strength in Cringle Park today to show solidarity against fear and violence following a reported rape.

The Lord Mayor, Carl Austin-Behan, who is also a Burnange councillor spoke of the need for solidarity and for people to not just use the park but speak to each other and make it a safe place for everyone. (pictured with his consort, Simon Austin-Behan).

There was also a police presence to reassure people and give advice.

We will not stand by and allow violence to happen unchallenged in our community. We will stand together. We will stand strong. We will stand against fear, violence and hatred.

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A community walk in Cringle Park will happen at 11.00 on 20th November 2016 to show solidarity and sympathy with the victim.

This is the report from Greater Manchester Police:

“Officers investigating the rape of a woman in Levenshulme are appealing to three possible witnesses.

Shortly before 12pm on Monday, 14 November 2016, a 31-year-old woman was raped in Cringle Park, on Clare Road, whilst out walking.

An investigation was launched and a dedicated team of detectives have been carrying out further enquiries.

It is now believed there were three people in the park who may have witnessed something prior to the incident and officers are keen to speak to them.

These include a white man, in his 30s, who was wearing jeans and a khaki coat and was throwing a football for his dog.

A white woman, who is believed to be in her early 40s, with brown hair was also walking a dog which was white.

The third person is an older, white woman, who was pushing a black pram with a dog on a lead. She was wearing a black coat with the hood up and had brown hair. This woman briefly spoke to the victim before the attack.

The offender is described as wearing dark clothes with his hood up.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Mossop, from GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “We have been carrying out extensive enquiries and want to speak to these people who were in the park around the time of the offence.

“I would like to stress you are not in any trouble but you could have key information which could help us with this case. Even if you think you didn’t see anything, please still get in touch with us as any information could be vital.

“We aware this incident has caused concerns in the community and I want to make it clear we are doing everything in our power to find the person responsible.

“No one should be scared to go about their daily business and we want to reassure local residents that we have increased patrols in the area. A police van is also currently parked near to the incident and we are also speaking with the local council.

“We are also aware of a community walk taking place in the park this Sunday (20 November 2016) and are currently liaising with the organisers to our offer our support.

“If you have any concerns please approach one of our officers and although we cannot go into the details of an on-going investigation we will try and help in any way we can.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 824 of or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

– If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

– You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

– St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

– Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

– Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246267.”

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An award winning film by Levenshulme based director Gareth Taylor will be screened on 1st December at the University of Manchester.

Namaste: A Himalayan Journey

In the film, Dr Kate Yarrow, founder of Doctors for Nepal, goes on a life-changing, two-year adventure following some of the incredible journeys patients endure to reach healthcare in remote areas of Nepal. After the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on 25th April 2015, Kate uncovers the challenges facing doctors and patients in rural areas, and reveals the extraordinary personal journeys of the people she meets along the way.

Here is what broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow has to say about the film:

“It’s a lovely piece and a very neat, acute and moving insight into the way things are post earthquake in remote Nepal . . . it’s a terrific film to put on for awareness raising . . . The journey alone is a terrific achievement, but the way you have made the film is too. Congratulations.”